Getting Newborn Into Sleep Routine: Helpful Strategies That Work

There's nothing more precious in this world than a sleeping baby. A newborn who is well-rested and getting enough sleep is a happy baby, and getting newborn into sleep routine can be one of the biggest challenges parents face.

Newborns typically sleep for 16-17 hours a day, but they don't usually sleep through the night. It's crucial to establish a bedtime routine early on so that your baby knows when it's time to wind down and go to sleep. A few things you can do to create a bedtime routine are:

Getting Newborn Into Sleep Routine is Easy With Swaddling

Swaddling is when you wrap your baby in a blanket so that they feel snug and secure. This can help your baby feel calm and fall asleep more quickly, and it may help him sleep for longer periods of time.

Some blankets make this simple, like the SwaddleMe, a cotton blanket with Velcro that you can use to swaddle your baby snugly. When considering swaddle vs sleep sack options, keep in mind that sleep sacks offer a more secure and convenient alternative for keeping your baby cozy and safe during sleep. However, you can also use receiving blankets or even a regular cotton blanket to swaddle your baby. They just require more folding and tucking to stay in place.

Give Your Baby a Massage to Help Them Sleep

A gentle massage can be very calming for your baby and may help him fall asleep more easily. You can use any lotion or oil, but make sure it's not too fragrant, so it doesn't bother your baby's sensitive nose.

Put a few drops of lavender oil on your hands and massage it into your baby's back, legs, and feet. You can also use a circular motion on the tummy to help with gas relief.

Feed Them Right Before You Go to Bed

If you're breastfeeding, try to nurse your baby right before you go to bed. This will help him sleep longer since he'll get full and content directly before drifting to dreamland.

Don't forget that you need your beauty sleep too! So, once you put your baby down for the night, make sure you get some rest too. You can take turns with your partner so that one of you can sleep while the other takes care of the baby.

Limit Nap Lengths During the Day

If your baby is napping too close to bedtime, he may have difficulty falling asleep at night. When getting newborn into a sleep routine, it's important to limit naps during the day so that he's sleepy come bedtime.

You can try putting him down for a nap around lunchtime and again in the early afternoon. This will help him get the sleep he needs during the day without making it too hard for him to fall asleep at night.

Change Diapers Before Night Feedings

Diaper changes often wake a baby up, while feeding them often does the opposite. Change your baby's diaper at night right before you feed him. Preferably on a waterproof surface so you don't have to clean urine on mattress sheets while half asleep.

This way, they will be ready to snooze as soon as they are done eating.

Lay Them Down When Drowsy But Awake

It's important to lay your baby down when drowsy but not asleep. This way, they learn how to drift off by themselves. This is especially helpful when they wake during the night but don't actually need anything.

Final Thoughts

Although every baby is different, there are some helpful sleep strategies that have been found to work for the majority of newborns. If you’re struggling getting newborn into sleep routine, hopefully, these tips will give you the boost you need. And if all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends – they may have some great ideas too!

Can you share any newborn bedtime routine ideas with us?